Friday, 1 February 2013

Fitness | Healthy Living Tag & My Tips!

Woo it is Friday finally! Today I thought I would share with you some of my tips and a little bit of my daily routine with you all. As I was tagged by fellow Tone It Up girl Maya from Super Food Babe for the Healthy Living Tag I thought it was a great opportunity to share a few things! Be sure to check out Maya's blog for healthy recipes and healthy living motivation :) 
All photos from instagram @karenakatrina @amydusty @lucynorristiu @kristynjoruns ~ all inspire me so check them out!

What did you eat for breakfast?
Pancakes! No I am not joking, I made myself a Tone It Up Protein Pancake for breakfast. They are gluten free, low carb and contain no processed sugar. On cold winter mornings (or any time) these are my favourite breakfast. I simply add some fruit, today it was blueberries, and some agave nectar ~ YUM! 

How much water do you drink a day? 
I usually try to drink half my body weight in ounces in water per day. So for me that is 63 ounces! I either drink good old fashioned plain water, coconut water or green tea. Don't forget that teas contribute to your daily water in take too. Being dehydrated slows down your metabolism and if you are thirsty you are already dehydrated ~ so drink up!

What is your current favourite workout?
I love to run. I really enjoy being outside in the fresh air and doing something as simple as running. It is something everyone can do and doesn't cost a penny! All you need is a pair of trainers and your own motivation. I also love the HIIT the Beach workout from the Beach Babe DVD and spinning which I have just started. 

How many calories do you eat a day?
Honestly I have no idea. I don't calorie count I just make sensible choices. I don't see the point of restricting yourself to a certain number of calories per day, I believe that you should listen to your body and eat when you are hungry. Just think about what you are eating and stick to lean, clean and green where possible! 

What are your favourite healthy snacks?
I love sliced apple and with cinnamon sprinkled over the top. Did you know that cinnamon can help curb sweet tooth cravings? It is true! I also love carrot sticks and hummus, I am addicted to hummus ~ I can't get enough of it! I also like Nakd bars for on the go. 

What do you usually eat for lunch?
I try to mix up my lunches. I make sure to make my lunch and snacks for work everyday. I either make up a salad, recently I have been adapting Karena's Kale Salad with whatever I have in the house. I also love making wraps with salad and turkey or chicken with a little bit of mustard!

What is your favourite body part to strength train?
I like training my abs because I can always feel it the next day. I can really see a difference in myself since I started my Tone It Up routine and the main difference I see is on my abs and waistline! 

What is your least favourite body part to strength train?
Arms, my upper body strength isn't the greatest. Something you might not know about me is that I have two metal plates in my right arm. I fell off my horse when I was 15 and ended up with a compound fracture, as the bone had broken through the skin the only thing that they could do was pin and plate it. My arm healed but they decided that as I wasn't going to grow much more it was sensible to leave the plates in my arm, so I have had them ever since! This is why I find arms quite hard to train as I have a weakness in my right one, but I don't let it stop me. I just make sure to use light weights.

What are your 'bad' food cravings?
Chocolate, I love it. I used to crave crisps but I managed to successfully break that habit, I figure that chocolate is not such a bad one. A little bit usually does the trick, I don't deprive myself as I figure a little bit of what you fancy doesn't do you any harm! Just don't eat too much. I also love the Perfect Fit Chocolate Cake recipe as it gives you a hit of chocolate but isn't all that bad for you!

Do you take vitamins or supplements? 
Nope! Sometimes I do take echinacea to ward off a cold if I feel one coming on or Matt has one. 

How often do you eat out?
Maybe once a week. Usually at the weekend we will pop out somewhere shopping or just out and about. It's nice to spend time with Matt with dinner and a movie :)

Do you eat fast food?
I do but not very often. We cook from scratch 95% of the time which I love but sometimes you just need something convenient. Everything in moderation!   

Who is your biggest supporter?
Matt! Without a doubt he is my best friend, soul mate and biggest fan. I don't know what I would do without his support! :)

Do you have a gym membership?
I don't, I personally much prefer to be outside and I find the price of gyms extortionate personally. I know they are great for many people but they just don't work for me! I do like to attend classes but they are on a 'pay as you go' basis. 

How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Depends if I have work the next day or not. I always try to get to bed early but I can't seem to switch off before 11:30pm for some reason. I like to get between 6-8 hours per night. 

Do you have a 'cheat'day?
As I said earlier and many times before I am a big believer in everything in moderation. Sometimes people eat healthy all week yet undo all their hard work at the weekends through over indulging. Weekends count ~ Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday that you take off from working out and eating healthy works out to be almost half the month! This can lead to a 4.3 pound weight loss (or gain) during the month. If I want a treat I will have one but in moderation and by no means every day :)

Do you drink alcohol?
I love a glass or two of wine at the weekend, nothing like winding down on an evening with a nice glass of red! 

Do you have a workout buddy?
Me, myself and I! Although Matt has been coming running with me on a Sunday which I love. I like to inspire other people to take up a fitness challenge. When the evenings start to get lighter again he will be coming with me during the week as well! Most of the time I do workout by myself though. 

What is the best thing that has changed your life since committing to a Healthy Lifestyle?
My confidence has soared! I was always pretty unconfident when it came to my figure, hiding under dark clothes and when I was younger (and on some days even now) I suffered from Body Dismorphic Disorder. I didn't know that was what it was but basically I would look in the mirror and see myself as fat, even though I wasn't! I might write a full blog post about this one day but I'm not ready for it yet. It's funny because I spent most of my teens and twenties feeling insecure and since I hit 30 I have grown in so many ways. My fitness and healthy lifestyle have certainly helped me with this!

What was the last healthy thing you did? 
The Love Your Body workout this morning! Working out in the mornings sets me up for the day and I always feel so energised afterwards. 

I hope that this tag gives you an insight into my routine and hopefully you can pick up some tips! I would love it if you would join me in doing this tag ~ leave me a link below if you do. I am always on the hunt for more motivation and inspiration :)

6 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed this post - its very inspirational! I agree completely with 'everything in moderation'! I think if you restrict yourself too much you completely over indulge when you do 'allow yourself' something! I suffer with body dysmprphia too ( it's linked to my OCD/Anxiety ) but like you it's something I don't feel ready to share yet as some people just don't understand it! P.S - I can't believe you are 30! You look so much younger!

    Xx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank Kayleigh! That means a lot :)Exactly my ethos! Everything in moderation never does anyone any harm. Thanks so much - I don't feel 30 haha!

      Delete
  2. Great answer lovely,. You have a very similar attitude to health as me, but are just so much more dedicated! I haven't had the best month but have managed to up my running distance and smash some of my records :D

    It's great that working out has helped you with your body dysmorphia, and like Kayleigh I can't believe you are 30!!! You look so much younger! Xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cat! I try to be sensible about these things. Don't worry about having a not so good month just pick it up for Feb! xx

      Delete
  3. I loved reading this! This is my favourite tag at the moment :) I can't believe you are 30 either! You look so young. And everything in moderation is such a good principal to work with. I think a lot of people forget this, if you always work to everything in moderation you shouldn't have any problems.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks Shen! Exactly - Everything in moderation! :)

      Delete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!